NCAA Men’s Championship – Holders eliminated in first round

The NCAA Men’s Soccer Tournament got rolling last night with 16 first round games taking place all across the country, and already 2012 Champion Indiana are out.

The defenders struggled to a 8-12-2 record this season, but that last win was a 1-0 victory over Michigan State and it gave the Hoosiers the Big 10 Championship, and with that title an automatic bid to the national tournament.

Akron have been consistent over the past few years. (ISI Photos/Steven Limentani)

Last night in Akron the Hoosiers spotted the Zips a 3-0 lead, going behind on goals from Reinaldo Brenes in 7th minute, Aodhan Quinn in the 24th, and a second tally from Brenes three minutes after the break.

Indiana’s championship pedigree kicked in then, as the defending champs stormed back with a pair of goals about a minute apart. First Dylan Lax headed home direct from a Patrick Doody corner kick in the 52nd minute, and then a second corner from Doody caromed off the crossbar from Tommy Thompson’s header, before senior Jacob Bushue buried the rebound.

But that would be all for Hoosiers as Akron travel to face ninth seeded Marquette in second round play this Sunday afternoon.

Timo Pitter led Creighton on goals and points this season and will surely disappointed with his team’s failure to make the next round..(ISI Photos/Andrew Katsampes)

The evenings other big news emanated out of Omaha, Nebraska where Creighton were felled by Seattle University 2-1. Creighton may not have had their best year in 2013, but the Bluejays have been to the national semifinals two years running, while this win was the first for Seattle U. in any NCAA Division 1 tournament, in any sport, since the Redhawks trumped Utah State at basketball all the way back in 1964.

Creighton led early last night on Sonny Makh’s first career goal, but the lead would not hold with both Seattle goals coming from Miguel Gonzalez, bringing the Redhawks finisher’s tally to 15 on the season, so far.

Seattle won’t put too many miles on the school bus as they head into the their second round match this Sunday, they will face instate powerhouse Washington, the second seed in the entire tournament.

All second round games will be played Sunday November 24, and all seeded teams received a first round bye.

Number 1 UCLA will be ready for Elon.(ISI Photos/Michael Janosz)

Number 1 UCLA will face Elon, who eliminated Clemson on penalty kicks after playing to a 1-1 tie. Number 3 Notre Dame take on Wisconsin, who topped neighbors Milwaukee 1-0 in the first round. Fourth ranked Cal go up against Bradley, 3-2 OT winners versus Northwestern. Rounding out the top five seeds, Maryland will have to get by Providence, another PK survivor, at Penn’s expense.

With Indiana eliminated early, we know that there will be a new national champion in 2013. Creighton’s loss to Seattle U. sees a second member of last year’s final four knocked off, leaving Maryland and Georgetown, to chase glory. Sixth ranked Georgetown fell 1-0 to Indiana in the 2012 Championship match and will play Old Dominion on Sunday.

Coming off of a 5-1 thrashing of Drexel, the ODU Monarch’s don’t figure to be an easy touch for the Hoyas. After posting a 10-5-1 mark this year, the Conference USA side got two goals from English import Tim Hopkinson and will be looking for more when they challenge the Hoyas on Sunday at 1:00pm.

View the second round and live interactive bracket. Find more information on the Championship by visiting the NCAA Men’s Soccer Website:Click Here

About Peter Nolan

Peter Nolan is a staff writer for the GotSoccer Magazine, covering MLS and other US leagues, He's GotSoccer's chief National Team Correspondent.